Stephens College announced Monday that it will sell properties to the Hagan Scholarship Foundation. Missouri businessman Dan Hagan started the foundation in 2009 to help students from rural counties.
Dan Hagan’s spokesperson Mark Farnen said the nonprofit will turn its new buildings into an academy that will house 50 to 60 high school juniors and seniors.
Once students graduate the academy, Farnen said they will become eligible for additional college scholarships.
To apply, students must live in a county with fewer than 50,000 residents and show economic need but do not need to be from Missouri.
Farnen said the organization decided to extend the scholarship program to an academy because of its success in helping students.
“The people who have been a part of it have responded very favorably to it and said this has helped to change my life,” said Farnen.
Stephens College President Dianne Lynch said the values of the Hagan Scholarship Program are what caught the attention of the Stephens College board of trustees and the foundation board.
“It became very clear right away, that he would be a wonderful neighbor and that there would be all kinds of opportunities,” said Lynch.
Stephens College plans to sell Hillcrest Hall, the auditorium and natatorium complex.
According to a Stephens College press release, the foundation plans to begin building within the next year.